חֹטֵר (cho.ter)
cho.ter
branch
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun choter refers to a slender shoot, twig, or rod. It describes a small, flexible part of a plant, distinct from the main trunk or thick limb. In the biblical text, this word paints a picture of something delicate yet alive, often symbolizing potential growth or fragility.
Its usage is limited but significant, appearing in just two verses: Proverbs 26:9 and Isaiah 14:19. In Proverbs, it serves as a metaphor for a fool’s wisdom; just as a thornbush twig is useless in the hand of a drunkard, so too is wisdom in the mouth of a fool. The image suggests that value depends on both the object and the one who holds it. Isaiah uses the term differently, describing a severed branch cast into graves, emphasizing finality and disgrace rather than potential.
The word’s etymology connects to the idea of bending or being flexible, which aligns with its meaning as a supple twig. This physical characteristic informs its metaphorical weight: something that can be easily broken or discarded if not handled with care. Translators often render it simply as "branch" or "twig," capturing its humble, everyday nature without adding theological complexity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word choter describes a slender twig or shoot, something delicate yet alive. It reminds us that even small beginnings hold life and potential. In Proverbs, it illustrates how wisdom loses its value when held by someone who does not respect it, much like a twig in the hand of a fool.
Yet this same image points to hope. Isaiah speaks of a branch rising from Jesse’s roots, signaling new life after despair. We are invited to trust that God can bring growth from fragile or broken places. Our worth is not defined by our size or strength, but by the One who sustains us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a shoot of1×
- a shoot1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֹ֣טֶר1×
- חֹ֖טֶר1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 11:1
A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.
This verse uses the related concept of a branch to symbolize messianic hope and new life emerging from humble origins.
-
Proverbs 14:3
The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
Although this verse mentions a rod rather than a twig, it shares the theme of how words or tools reflect the character of those who wield them.